Tarping

Depends on the tarping pay, but in general terms, the longer you do it and the more experienced you are at it, the less hassle it's going to be. Someone who has been doing tarping for a while can do it much faster and more effectively than someone new at the skill. As you gain experience, you also gain knowledge of little shortcuts that make the job go faster. No different from any other skill, in truth.

Unfortunately, as in almost everything, the learning curve is steepest when you are new, and things just take more time and result in more hassle. You just have to kind of grin and bear it, and after gutting it out for a bit it gets much easier to deal with. I encounter the same thing in my job when I take on a new task, and it's just something I have to deal with as it goes. it all goes faster the more frequently I do it.

Last Thursday I had to load flour out of a type of railcar I have never handled before. I trained on them 3 years ago, but never worked one by myself. Normally, I can load 50k in about 45 minutes. This time it took me close to 4 hours of effort due to my unfamiliarity with some slecific things. Next time I'll be much faster because I can apply the experiences I had the other night to the future. My 02.

 

Two things Nytewolf. Firstly, you are relatively young at 29. Prime o' your life, and if you're in good shape this would be to your advantage. I turned 47 today (thank-you), and as i prepare to start school soon, I too am thinking about flatbeds. So I envy you for at least this reason. Secondly, as you're probably already aware, many on this site have stated that flatbedding yields a bit more home-time, generally speaking. Just something to consider. Good luck!

 

When you tarp a load, make sure its tight and you can never use too many straps. You shouldnt have any trouble w/Mav as they haul mostly steel sheet an its easy. Coils are hard to tarp, a load of hay or moldboard, used around houses for trim, is hard cuz its 13.6. Make it a challenge to have the best looking tarped load, someone always sees the bad ones. Karl

 

Yes,keep it tight and neat like the tarps are ironed on and not all wrinkled up. I refer the bad tarp job as an ellephant trying to escape out from underneath the tarps,it's blowing all out over the place. Just take pride in your tarping and check out the tarped and secured loads in the truckstops. You can learn more there than many other places,plus,it's very interesting in your line of work. I still look at how other drivers tie and tarp,every now and then you learn a new trick. Don't be afraid to ask a driver any info,most will be glad to help you. best of luck out there.